Suns Name Del Negro Assistant General Manager

Former Suns guard and 12-year NBA veteran Vinny Del Negro was named assistant general manager on Tuesday.

(Jeramie McPeek/Suns Photos)

Posted: Aug. 28, 2007

The Phoenix Suns announced today the promotion of Vinny Del Negro to the position of assistant general manager.

“I’m excited that Vinny will be expanding his duties with the Suns,” Suns President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Steve Kerr said. “His knowledge, work ethic and energy will provide a big boost to our organization.”

Del Negro, who joined the club’s front office in 2003, served as director of player personnel last season. Prior to that, he spent three seasons as a color analyst on Suns’ broadcasts and assisted with scouting duties. He began his broadcasting career with ESPN’s NBA Matchup show and the San Antonio Spurs.

Del Negro ended his 14-year professional career, which spanned 12 seasons in the NBA and two in Italy, with the Suns after appearing in 38 games during the 2000-01 season. Originally selected in the second round (29th overall) of the 1988 NBA Draft, he played for five NBA teams (Sacramento, San Antonio, Milwaukee, Golden State, Phoenix) and averaged 9.1 points and 3.2 assists in 771 regular season games and appeared in 54 playoff games. During his two-year stint in Italy, he led Benetton Treviso to their first Italian League championship and was named Most Valuable Player in 1992.

A native of Springfield, Mass., he was honored in 2001 with his own locker at the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. He met his wife Lynn while playing four seasons under legendary coach Jimmy Valvano at North Carolina State.